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Apple /// startup memory diagnostic error?

Submitted by cxcheng on August 17, 2008 - 3:04pm. Apple II

When I tried to power up my Apple /// (built in 1980) with 256K RAM, the screen showed "memory diagnostics" and stopped there. There was a mix of 1s and 0s on it. Not sure what that means, but it doesn't look good because of the mix.

Is there documentation on how to interpret the results?
What do I need to do if it is indeed a memory error, so I'll need to find and replace those memory chips? Might be a similar problem that afflicted my old Apple II Plus where the IC connections eroded. If that is the case, or if the problem is with the memory board rather than the DRAMs, I may have to replace it?

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david__schmidt's picture

I've seen a document out ther

Submitted by david__schmidt on August 17, 2008 - 4:53pm.

I've seen a document out there in the Internet that discusses how to interpret the higher-level diagnostics that run from floppy - but I haven't seen how to interpret the basic memory test.

But that doesn't really matter. You need to take the motherboard out (keep careful track of the connectors and move slowly) and pull, clean, and re-seat all your chips. You probably want to start with the memory on the riser card. But sooner or later (sounds like sooner) you'll be having other flaky problems until you get in there and get everything making good contact.

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Thanks. I figure I'll just ha

Submitted by cxcheng on August 17, 2008 - 5:55pm.

Thanks. I figure I'll just have to spend the time to do just that. The machine hasn't been touched and has been collecting dust in years. My old Apple II Plus died probably after 10 years of not starting it up. Saw that saw contacts were oxidized.

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